The practice of dual enrollment, where high school students take college courses to fulfill undergraduate requirements, has been growing in recent years. San Diego Unified has seen a 65 percent increase in the number of dual enrollment courses taken by students, with a total of 12,659 courses enrolled in this year. Research shows that students who participate in dual enrollment perform better in college, complete prerequisites, and degrees more often.
In response to the growing trend, California passed a law in 2016 that established College and Career Access Pathways programs, focusing on offering dual enrollment to all students, not just high achievers. Governor Gavin Newsom allocated $470 million in funding for the Golden State Pathways program to help students pursue well-paying careers in fields like education and healthcare.
San Diego Unified has partnerships with the San Diego Community College District and offers a variety of dual enrollment programs to high school students. The district is working on expanding pathways programs and providing certificate programs in various fields. Despite the benefits of dual enrollment, there are still disparities in enrollment rates among minority students. The district aims to eliminate these disparities and ensure all students have access to dual enrollment opportunities. Dual enrollment provides an equitable opportunity for students to complete college courses for free and prepare for their future careers.
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Photo credit voiceofsandiego.org
